Falcon Estates Information

Status Report on FE Coyote Control Program

Jul 27, 2009

21 May 2009 Status Report on
Falcon Estates Coyote Control Program

At the 29 Jan 09, Andrew Slife?’s motion to hire a trapper and with authorization to expend up to $ 1500.00 for the initial removal of as many coyotes as possible was seconded, and passed by a large majority. The Board developed a Coyote Control Plan defining our approach. The approach was to educate FE residents and adjacent businesses on the law regarding feeding wildlife to include coyotes, how to life with wildlife, and to trap, if possible, the more aggressive coyotes in the area that were threatening human safety and attacking pets. The HOAFE Board hired Equalizer Wildlife Services (Claude Oleyar), 1362 Hill Crest Ave, COS, CO 80909-07390 to control coyotes by trapping and euthanizing. The agreement was limited to $1,500, but Claude thought it might take more but considered FE the trial test case within COS. Based on reports of coyotes threatening human life and safety, in accordance with Amendment 14 of the Colorado State Constitution, the HOAFE Board, with assistance from Claude Oleyar and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, requested a permit from the Health Department to use leg hold traps. The permit was granted for the period of 13 Apr ?– 12 May 09. The results are summarized below.

Report from Claude Oleyar, Equalizer Wildlife Services, 1362 Hillcrest Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909:
For the period February 3 - March 15, 2009, tentative expenses accumulated: 15.75 hours @ $60/hour, plus 1 cage trap set-up @ $150 = $1095. From 3 Feb to 13 Apr only cage traps were authorized and used.
For the period March 16 ?– May 12, 2009:
The permit from Kandi Buckland, EPCDHE, was issued on April 12 for the period April 13 ?– May 12, 2009. Allowable coyote take was clarified on April 13 at 6 minimum and 8 maximum for all of Falcon Estates.
Subsequently, 2 additional sites were set up with restricted devices. Sites were approved by respective property owners and posted.
One coyote (big adult male) was taken in a cage trap on east side (4/10). Six more were taken in restricted devices under the permit: 3 east side, 3 west side (4 males, 2 females). One male and 1 female on east were large, dominant alpha types. Two males on west side were dominant alpha types.
Two other coyotes (likely large, alpha types) escaped snares and one escaped a trap.
All restricted devices were removed on May 12, the permit expiration date. One cage device is still set on east side.
Claude sent a summary report of results to Kandi Buckland, Public Health Director, and Shaun Deeney, AWM, DOW.
Additional fees/charges:
Miscellaneous scouting, interviews, etc: 5.0 hours x $60/hour = $ 300
Additional site set-ups: 2 x $150 = 300
Site maintenance (additional 2 weeks): 2 x $100 = 200
Seven coyotes removed x $100 = 700
Period March 15 ?– May 12 = $1500
Period Feb 3 ?– March 15 = 1095
Total amount due = $2595
Note: Hours spent developing and negotiating the permit were not billed to Falcon Estates.

Since the total amount due exceeds the approved budget of $1500 by $1095, EWS requests that the additional balance due be considered by the Board and/or solicited from the membership. Any additional funds above the approved $1500 would be much appreciated. However, if additional funds are unavailable, the approved $1500 will be acceptable.
On 18 Jun 09, HOAFE Board send a check for $1,550 ($1,500 from HOAFE funds and $50 donated by a resident specifically for coyote control) to Equalizer Wildlife Services (Claude Oleyar), 1362 Hill Crest Ave, COS, CO 80909-07390. The Board will request donations from residents to fund the $1,045 difference, and request authorization from the Membership for any remaining funds needed.

This is not the end of the FE Coyote Control Program. We, the residents of FE, will have to continue to live with wildlife to include coyotes. This means an on-going awareness of how to live with wildlife?….one of the basic tenants is to NOT provide food for coyotes, haze (foghorns, loud whistles, etc) them to keep the wary of humans, be aware of their presence and report sightings to HOAFE Board, and DON?’t feed them!!!!!!!! Just a reminder, it is against Colorado State law to feed wildlife such as coyotes and bears. Anyone doing so is subject to being fined. This includes direct feeding such as throwing food to individual animals, indirect feeding such as putting food out near dens or along trails, and putting table scraps out under bushes (this is also against City Code requiring trash to be put in appropriate receptacles and disposed of appropriately (garbage pick up)).

We have also had reports and pictures of bears in a front yard in Falcon Estates West several times in the last few months. Be aware and be careful. Just as coyotes are wild animals and not pets ?– bears are too!!! A fed bear (coyote) is a dead bear (coyote).